A Dirty Business (Kings of New York #1)(48)

A whole new wondrous look came over Vivianna. She blinked a few more times, her eyes darting to Kelly’s hands before lifting back to Justin. “This is serious then?”

His arm tightened around Kelly. “It is. She’s moving in with me.”

“Oh.” Another few blinks before she swallowed, her neck stretching from the motion. “So this isn’t a random or casual stop-in, huh?”

“It’s not, no.”

Kelly shot me a look, biting her lip all over again.

Viv’s disdain was thick as she glared at Kelly, then to Justin. “You drove all the way here to drop this on our lap?” Her tone turned clipped, and her hand gestured to Kelly when she said this.

Gone were the niceties.

Justin’s arm moved from behind Kelly. He took a step forward as Kelly moved back a step, her head lowering as she gave me another fleeting look.

Oh, fuck. I was hoping I was reading my best friend right because she wanted a breather from this sudden weird interaction. I cleared my throat. “So, huh, Viv. Where’d you say our boss was? Maybe we could get the rest of the night off.”

She seemed dazed, so it was a pause before she responded. “Wait. Tonight?”

I nodded.

She looked to Justin and Kelly for affirmation. Justin said, “We’re all supposed to work tonight.”

She shifted back on her heels, her very high heels, and why was she wearing heels? She was a model. Good grief. That wasn’t jealousy on my part. Nope. It’s not like longer legs would’ve helped me in my life at all.

“Viv—” Justin started.

I finished, “Hey! Vivianne.”

She was glaring at Justin but drew in a sharp breath before her head snapped in my direction. Her eyes were sparkling from irritation. “It’s Vivianna.”

“Right.” I laughed. “You should probably know what my day job is. I’m a parole officer, so I’m really hoping that you don’t have any parolees in there, and if you do, they can’t be drinking or doing drugs. I mean, I know some parolees are allowed alcohol, but that’s pretty rare, so if I see it, I gotta report it.”

Her eyes were blinking rapidly. “Excuse me? What?”

“Yeah.” I kept on, sounding casual. “Normally in situations like this, on my day off, I don’t like to cause waves, but you know, you’re being a bitch to my best friend, so that ship sailed. Like”—I whistled, the sound before a bomb drops—“so far sailed that you can’t even see the yacht thing of whatever was happening before. And also, you’re pissing me off.”

“Oh, good god, Jess.” Justin dropped his head, muttering under his breath.

Viv’s eyes were latched to me, glaring. I was fairly certain she’d tell us to leave, or that’s what I was hoping for. “You’re a parole officer.”

“Yep. Excuse my demeanor. If I wasn’t pissed right now, I might give you two thumbs up. But when you started referring to my best friend as ‘this,’ that made me more in the mood where I can show you the teeth that I do still have.”

“You’re out of your jurisdiction.”

“It doesn’t quite work like that. Parole officer. There are some differences, but the main one is that I can’t give you a ticket, so you’re safe to speed in front of me.” I was smiling as I said every word, still sounding casual, like I’d just finished giving her a weather report.

“Too bad Justin didn’t take you to his other side of the family. You would’ve fit right in.”

“Well, that would’ve defeated the purpose of ‘getting away for the day.’ You know.”

She glared at me before including Kelly and then moving to Justin. “I see you actually haven’t changed that much, Justin. Still slumming.” She turned on her heel but said over her shoulder as she began to leave, “You can show yourself around, thank you.”

Justin’s mouth was hanging open, but a choked laugh ripped out of him. He laced his hands together, raised them up, and cupped the back of his head. “I can’t believe that just happened.” He was taking me in, his eyes wide. “All of that and you know the real reason she left is to make sure no drugs are visible. My cousin can handle a catfight, that’s not a problem for her, but good call on the little threat.” He started laughing as he reached for Kelly, then pulled her to him and buried his head into her neck and shoulder. “Please don’t leave me because a part of my family are rich assholes. I try not to associate with them.”

Kelly wound her arms around his neck, hanging on to him as well, a little laugh slipping from her.

He lifted his head, his hands dropping to her waist but holding her against him. “But fair warning that the rest of my family are just as bad. I wanted to drop the bomb on them that you exist, but knowing Viv, she’ll be on the phone and calling what relatives aren’t here to get here ASAP.”

Kelly’s laugh dried up. “Really?”

He nodded, more somber now. “It’ll be fine, though. The only one I really want to introduce you to is my aunt. She’s everything this side of my family isn’t. Kind. She’s a big reason I am who I am. I lived with her for most of my life.”

“Really?” she whispered.

“I only care about her. I swear. I’m not a part of all the family bullshit, and I don’t have to kiss ass because I’m not dependent on them for money. Drives them all crazy.”